A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft has used its air-to-air refuelling boom for the first time on operations.

The capability milestone was reached during the refuelling a RAAF E-7A Wedgetail last week on a Coalition mission above Iraq.

The refuelling process involved the two large aircraft, military versions of the Airbus A330 (KC-30A) and Boeing 737-700 (E-7A), approaching within metres of each other to transfer fuel via a manoeuvrable pipe, which extends back from the rear of the KC-30A.